Heritage of Cyador

XLVII

After leaving Aenslem’s villa late on sevenday afternoon, Lerial rides back to the palace and meets briefly with Norstaan, conveying exactly what Kyedra has suggested.

The undercaptain smiles. “Yes, ser. I’ll make sure of that.”

“I can’t say if the healer is coming, but if she does, I don’t think there should be any hindrance to anything she may be able to accomplish in improving the duke’s health.”

“No, ser. We’re agreed on that. Thank you for letting me know … and I won’t tell him until you want me to.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure, ser.”

Lerial returns to Afritan Guard headquarters, where he summons his officers and Dhoraat, whom he has promoted to senior squad leader, to the small conference room,

“I had a meeting earlier today with the duke-he’s is now the duke in name as well as in fact. He has requested that we undertake one more task before we leave Afrit-once Subcommander Ascaar arrives in Swartheld.”

All three men facing him across the table look dubious, and Lerial cannot blame them.

“You all know that one of the reasons why the Afritans lost so many men, and why Duke Atroyan was killed, was because there were traitors among the Afritan merchanters. It also appears that one or two of these merchanters may have had some part in the disappearance of Lord Mykel, the duke’s younger brother…” Lerial goes on to explain what Rhamuel has relayed to him and Rhamuel’s “request.” He finishes by saying, “We could refuse this, but after all the years of poor relations with Afrit, I think having the duke owe us would be better than declaring he is on his own on this, especially since, if he were the one to discipline the traitors, many of the merchanters would view him badly … and he cannot afford that much ill will at present.”

“More dirty work, if you ask me, ser,” declares Kusyl.

“Absolutely, but, all things considered, it’s worth doing. It also makes the point that the duke trusts us, and that might just make his merchanters less likely to cheat Duke Kiedron’s merchanters as well … or not so badly.”

Kusyl’s sour expression indicates his feeling about merchanters so expressively that Lerial can barely refrain from laughing.

“When will this happen?” asks Strauxyn.

“Not before oneday at the earliest, because Subcommander Ascaar hasn’t arrived yet.”

“What company are you thinking about?” asks Kusyl.

“Eleventh Company, unless any of you have other suggestions.” Lerial looks from Kusyl to Strauxyn, and then to Dhoraat.

“That makes sense,” Strauxyn finally says.

Kusyl nods, as does Dhoraat.

“Since there’s nothing else … right now, that’s all.”

Lerial notices that Strauxyn and Dhoraat leave quickly, but Kusyl does not, suggesting that the senior undercaptain has something in mind and has arranged the situation with the other two. “What is it, Kusyl?”

“One good thing about this war, ser, for us, anyway. We won’t be having to fight Heldyans all the time, and not the Afritans, either. Not while the arms-commander is duke.”

“That’s true, but it’s been hard on the Afritans.”

“There was one good thing for them … in a way.”

“Oh?”

“It got rid of a lot of poor senior officers … even some stupid captains. That’s what some of the undercaptains who came up from rankers are saying. They had too many officers who never served as rankers.”

“That may be, but it cost them a lot of good rankers.” Lerial can’t help but wonder from what direction the weapons that took out some of the “stupid” captains happened to come. He also realizes what Kusyl is hinting at and smiles. “Yes, you’ll be a captain. Officially, I can only recommend, but it will happen.”

“Strauxyn, too, begging your pardon, ser.”

“Done. What about Dhoraat as an undercaptain?”

“Give him another year as a senior squad leader. He understands.”

“Meaning that you’ve made it clear to him.”

“I’ve been where he is. I know what he needs to know. He knows that, too.” Kusyl simply waits after speaking.

“What else are you thinking about, Kusyl?”

“Begging your pardon, ser, but you ought to be arms-commander and in charge of the Mirror Lancers.”

“That can’t happen now.” If ever, because you can’t become arms-commander while Lephi serves in the Mirror Lancers.

“Yes, ser. I know.” Kusyl’s voice conveys both understanding and resigned acceptance. “Still be better if it could.”

“That’s not my decision.”

“Yes, ser.”

Lerial also understands what Kusyl is not saying, and cannot say-that there is likely going to be a problem, in time, given Lerial’s experience, abilities, and accomplishments … and Lephi’s comparative lack of the same, especially since Lephi will not be the duke for some years to come, barring some unforeseen health problem striking their father. “We’ll just have to deal with what the future brings, Kusyl. That’s all we can do.”

“Sometimes … seems like the Rational Stars aren’t so rational.”

“Sometimes, I’ve thought the same thing,” replies Lerial with a laugh. “Let’s go get some food and lager. It’s been a long day.”

That night, after he climbs into his bunk, Lerial’s thoughts go back to his conversation with Kusyl. Only Kusyl could have dared to bring up what he did … and only most likely outside of Cigoerne. But he’s right. It’s already been a bit of a problem, and it’s going to get worse. The only solution Lerial can see is for him, once he returns to Cigoerne, to remain at posts well away from the palace, perhaps even as far away as in Verdheln … or for him to switch duties with Lephi so that Lephi will be closer to the city of Cigoerne itself. You’re going to have to talk that over with Father … And that is not something to which he is looking forward.

Nor is he looking forward to leaving Kyedra, he realizes, even as he knows that, as Altyrn has pointed out, there are great responsibilities involved in being even the junior heir … and the wrong brother.

Finally, he does drift off to sleep.